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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance

As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS. The strategy sets out a roadmap to easing existing measures in phases and as part of that, we are all advised to follow guidelines to stay alert and safe.

All businesses and venues outlined in the table below must not open to the public: failure to follow the law relating to these closures can lead to the individual responsible for the business being issued a prohibition notice, a fixed penalty notice or being prosecuted.

Takeaway and delivery services may remain open and operational in line with guidance below. Online retail and click and collect services may continue.

Employers who have people in their offices or onsite are advised to ensure that employees are able to follow the government’s guidelines on working safely.

1. Businesses and venues that must remain closed to members of the public

To reduce social contact, the government has required by law the businesses and venues in the left-hand column to close to members of the public. Legal exceptions, and guidance on their scope, are set out in the right-hand column.

When using or operating any exemptions to closures listed below, you should follow relevant social distancing guidance.

Food and drink

Exceptions

Restaurants and public houses, wine bars or other food and drink establishments including within hotels and members’ clubs, such as dining rooms

Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational. This can be a new activity supported by the new permitted development rights in England. This covers the provision of hot or cold food that has been prepared for consumers for collection or delivery to be consumed, reheated or cooked by consumers off the premises.

Room service in hotels and accommodation.

Cafés and canteens

Food delivery and takeaway can remain operational (and as above).

Cafés and canteens at hospitals, police and fire services’ places of work, care homes or schools; prison and military canteens; services providing food or drink to the homeless may remain open.

Where there are no practical alternatives, other workplace canteens can remain open to provide food for their staff. For example, this could include canteens at police or fire services’ places of work.

However, where possible, the government advises that staff should be encouraged to bring their own food, and distributors can move to takeaway. Employers are encouraged to take measures to minimise the number of people in the canteen, for example by using a rota.

All retail, other than those exempt, must close their premises to members of the public. However, staff may be present to make deliveries or provide services in response to orders such as those through telephone, online, or mail.

Click and collect services can also operate, though customers must not enter premises listed in the left-hand column.

Hotels and other accommodation businesses may provide services to those listed below:

• People who live in the accommodation permanently as their main residence.

• Any person who is unable to return to their main residence, including non-UK residents who are unable to travel to their country of residence during this period.

• Those isolating themselves from others as required by law.

• Any critical worker that is part of the effort to deal with coronavirus, if the stay is necessary for their work. The list of critical workers was published by the Cabinet Office and Department for Education on 19 March 2020 and updated on 5 May 2020.

• An elite athlete, their coach, or (in the case of an elite athlete under the age of 18) the parent of an elite athlete, if they need accommodation for the purposes of training or competition.

• Those permitted to attend a funeral as per Regulation 6(2)(a), who need temporary short term accommodation for that purpose.

• To support or provide accommodation to homeless and other vulnerable people such as those who cannot safely stay in their home, including through arrangements with local authorities and other public bodies.

• To those who need accommodation while moving house.

Hotels and other accommodation listed are allowed to host blood donation sessions.

Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses

Where people live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes where their primary residence is not available, they may continue to do so.

Caravan parks also have the same exemptions as hotels and other forms of accommodation listed above.

Non-residential institutions

Exceptions

Libraries

Digital library services and those where orders are taken electronically, by telephone or by post (for example no-contact Home Library Services) may continue.

Community centres

Community centres can open:

• For the purpose of hosting essential voluntary activities and urgent public services, such as food banks, homeless services;

Indoor attractions, including shops and visitor centres, at visitor attractions such as at:

• Botanical or other gardens, biomes or greenhouses

• Heritage sites or film studios

• Landmarks, including observation wheels or viewing platforms

Outdoor recreation

Exceptions

Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and outdoor swimming pools

Outdoor sports courts or amenities, including public and private outdoor enclosed areas can open such as:

• Tennis courts

• Golf courses and driving ranges

• Basketball courts

• Bowling greens

• Football pitches

• Water sports

• Stables

• Shooting and archery venues

The government strongly advises that social distancing guidance is followed when using these facilities – see guidance for the providers of such facilities. Bars and clubhouses at outdoor sports facilities must remain closed other than for takeaway to be consumed off site.

Parks, open countryside, beaches and waterways can remain open. See further government guidance on access to green spaces and outdoor recreation. This includes private/ticketed gardens, such as those managed by the National Trust.

Local authorities are also urged to open waste and recycling centres, and people are allowed to visit them.

3. Takeaway food and food delivery facilities may remain open and operational

This means people can continue to enter premises to access takeaway services, including delivery drivers.

Businesses are encouraged to take orders online or by telephone, and businesses must not provide seating areas, indoors and outdoors, for customers to consume food and drink on. Ordering in advance is strongly encouraged to avoid waiting, as per Public Health England guidelines.

Planning regulations have been changed to enable restaurants, cafés and pubs which do not currently offer delivery and hot or cold food takeaway to do so. The legislation can be accessed online.

People must not consume food or drinks on site at restaurants, cafés or pubs whilst waiting for takeaway food.
Those venues offering takeaway or delivery services must not include alcoholic beverages in this list if their licence does not already permit.

4. Length of closure

The government has set out its plan to rebuild, including easing existing restrictions in phases. As part of this, the government has provided clear guidance on staying alert and safe.

5. Compliance

As of 26 March 2020 these restrictions became enforceable by law in England. These Regulations were then amended on 22 April 2020, 13 May 2020 and 1 June 2020. Everyone is required to comply with these Regulations issued by the government in relation to coronavirus, in order to protect both themselves and others.

An owner, proprietor or manager carrying out a business (or a person responsible for other premises) who contravenes the Regulations, without reasonable excuse, commits an offence.

In England, Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will monitor compliance with these regulations, with police support provided if appropriate. Businesses and venues that breach them will be subject to prohibition notices, and a person, who is 18 or over, carrying on a business in contravention of the Regulations may be issued with a fixed penalty. The government has introduced higher fines for those who do not comply, to reflect the increased risk to others of breaking the rules.

With the support of the police, prohibition notices can be used to require compliance with the Regulations including requiring that an activity ceases. It is also an offence, without reasonable excuse, to fail to comply with a prohibition notice.

If prohibition notices are not complied with, or fixed penalty notice not paid, you may also be taken to court with magistrates able to impose potentially unlimited fines.

6. Business support

In England, under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant (RHLG) measures announced on Monday March 16, businesses and venues in England in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will be eligible for cash grants of up to £25,000 per property.

Eligible businesses and venues in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000. Eligible businesses and venues in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. Businesses and venues with a rateable value of over £51,000 are not included in this scheme.

7. Business rates

In England, as announced on Monday 16 March, the government will provide a business rates holiday for businesses and venues in the retail, hospitality and/or leisure sector. This includes the businesses and venues in scope for closure listed above. The relief will apply to business rates bills for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

8. Further information

This guidance will be updated regularly as the situation develops and to reflect frequently asked questions. For information about support for business, please go to the government’s Business Support page or visit GOV.UK.

9. Scope of guidance

The Devolved Administrations have issued their own guidance on these matters which can be found below:

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